Name/Title
Photo of Wine Casks Being Transported Across the IceEntry/Object ID
2022.2.27.21Description
This photograph of wine casks being transported over the ice by horse and sleigh was taken in 1913 by Ernst Niebergall and hangs on the wall in Kelleys Island State Park's main office.Use
Wine made on the island was shipped to the mainland by boat. In the winter, the lake would freeze, making it necessary to transport the large casks to the mainland on sleds pulled by horses.Context
The climate on Kelleys Island made it the perfect environment for grape growing and wine making. The cool waters surrounding the island provided the grapes a long growing season and shielded them from other crops that may be spreading disease.
In the mid to late 19th century, Kelleys Island had two wineries on the island, the Kelleys Island Wine Company and the Monarch Wine Company. Kelleys Island Wine Company was built using the limestone from the rapidly growing quarry nearby.
The Kelleys Island vineyards were producing 350,000 gallons of wine annually. This 4 x 2-mile island had six fully functioning wineries by 1914. These wineries were hard hit by Prohibition in the 1920s. Ironically, the first two wineries, Kelleys Island Wine Company and Monarch Wine Company were the only two to stay in business. They began producing non-alcoholic grape juice during this wearisome time and managed to keep the businesses alive.
The ruins of Kelleys Island Wine Company and the Monarch Wine Company (the two original wineries) can still be viewed when visiting this area.Location
* Untyped Location
Kelley's Island State Park
